Love.

That's what JJ called it the day after and I must say that when I read that I thought "yeah, love."  Love of a band so obscure that whenever I repeat their name I get blank stares.  Yet love so enduring that it could bring ten thousand fans back together after eight years for an almost spiritual reunion. 

All those years ago I somehow knew what a special thing these guys had going.  I know that it broke my heart when things went the way they did.  I like a lot of bands.  I love a lot of artists.  I'm sad when they break up or disappear.  But this was different.   Seeing all those fans out Friday night and sharing memories ~ it wasn't just different for me.  These boys had done something special.  I know they must have known it, felt it, thought about it over the years, but was an awesome validation that it must have been for them.  Standing there on that stage looking out at all of those adoring fans who still knew, loved and could sing literally every word of every song back to them.  What a special thing for everyone. 

The evening was made more special by the acknowledgement of the love in that moment.  Their smiles were contageous.  They seemed almost giddy.  Heck we all did!

A lot of personal drama was going on for me the night of that last show all those years ago.  As I stood there Friday it struck me just what a powerful and full circle event this was for me.   I'm thankful to the boys for giving me that chance.  I'm delighted to have seen the result of them letting bygones be bygones ~ what a great example they set! Easy to say but harder to do, yet Friday I could feel the love!  And so could everyone in that venue. 

I've been lucky to have seen a few shows in my day where the energy in air is what you remember most.   This was one!  Maybe the best one!